The crew of the yacht Setantii, a 2004 Sweden 42 en route to Horta, Azores were successfully evacuated last week (28 May 2010), following a collision with a submerged object 600 nautical miles west of the Azores.
 

Setantii, which was taking part in the ARC Europe transatlantic rally to Europe, called a MayDay after the collision severely damaged their steering, pushed the rudder up into the hull and caused water ingress.

Falmouth MRCC received the MayDay and, in cooperation with MRCC Ponta Delgada (Azores), diverted the bulk carrier MV Esmeralda to assist.

The ARC Europe yacht Gilly of London also altered course to assist the stricken yacht.
 

At approximately 0730UTC the four man crew of Setantii were successfully evacuated to the MV Esmeralda, which has now resumed course towards the United Kingdom.

The yacht has been abandoned and is sinking.

Weather conditions at the time of the incident were NW 20 knots, gusting 25 knots with 2 to 3m seas. 

Jeremy Wyatt of event organisers World Cruising Club commented: “We are relieved that the crew of Setantii are all now safe and would like to pass our thanks on to MRCC Falmouth and Ponta Delgada for their swift response.”
 

The other yachts participating in ARC Europe are all on course for Horta, Azores with a fast passage expected.

ARC Europe 2010 started from Nanny Cay Marina, Tortola, British Virgin Islands on 06 May, with other yachts joining up at Bermuda before crossing the Atlantic to the Azores.

ARC Europe is open to cruising monohulls with a minimum length of 27ft (8.23m) and cruising multihulls from 27 to 60 ft (8.23 – 18.29m) LOA. 

www.worldcruising.com/arceurope